Browsing CategorySicily tourist attractions

_AM_0529

What is it that makes Sicily so special? After all, it’s not just overseas visitors flocking to the island: around half of its visitors are Italians. The cultural attractions are certainly a big draw, but with one of the country’s highest records of sunshine, gorgeous beaches, sparkling clear seas and mouth-watering food, Italians know when they’re on to a good thing! In fact once you’ve visited Sicily, you may not be surprised to learn that many Sicilians stay on the island for their own holiday. Read on for some local tips on the best things to do and places to…

Casa dei Sogni

If 2018 was the year to visit Palermo (Capital of Culture 2018), 2019 is the year to venture further afield in Sicily! Whichever direction you go in, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches, contemporary art, natural landscapes and, of course, food and wine. Read on to learn more about Sicily and why our guests return time and time again. Heavenly beaches With over 1000km of coastline, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a beach that you like in Sicily. Choose between golden sandy beaches, idyllic pebbly coves and dark volcanic sands. If you’re looking for…

visit-sicily-wishsicily

If, like us, you’re longing for bright skies and warm Spring sunshine, the chances are you’ll be poring through online magazines and websites for holiday inspiration. Luckily for us, Spring comes early to Sicily so while much of Europe is still wrestling with late April showers, our thoughts are turning to fresh Springtime flavours and flowers. Read on to discover just five of the many reasons why Sicily is perfect for a holiday in May or June. Top tourist attractions Sightseeing in May or June means relatively crowd-free attractions. Sites such as Segesta and Selinunte are fascinating for anyone interested…

ancient sites in Sicily

In classical times, Sicily was the star of Magna Graecia and even if visiting age-old ruins and Greek temples are not usually your top priority on holiday, it would be hard not to be impressed – if not completely overwhelmed – by the huge number of ancient sites in Sicily. While the island was shaped by numerous nations, it is the Greek influence that is perhaps most dominant and even today Sicily still boasts remains of ancient Greek architecture that rival some of the sights in Greece. The Valley of the Temples, Agrigento The Valley of the Temples, Sicily is…

sicily-syracuse-holiday

Syracuse is an extraordinary city by any standards, steeped in history and with a seemingly endless supply of sightseeing opportunities. It is one of Italy’s oldest cities and certainly amongst its most atmospheric, one of its main attractions being the web of alleyways on the island peninsula of Ortigia. The city’s vast archaeological park, with its Greek and Roman theatres, remain a top draw but if you are short of time and just want to grab a flavour of the city, these are some of our favourite things to do in Syracuse. What to see in Syracuse Sicily? Enjoy stunning…

Catania Fish Market

Strolling leisurely through food street markets and rummaging amongst piles of antiques is one of the great pleasures of being on holiday, and particularly when you are abroad. Buying food or other items is almost incidental – the thrill is often in the aromas, sounds and sights that attack you from all directions.  Messina, Trapani and most of Sicily’s main towns and cities have their own markets but none are on the scale of the fish markets and food markets those found in Palermo and Catania. Flea market in Palermo Sicily The city’s markets – Il Capo, Ballarò and Vucciria…

visit-modica

Sicily’s south east corner is a treasure trove of baroque art and architecture and each of the region’s striking towns has its own specific charm. We have focused here on Modica Sicily, which has its own unique attractions but is also perfectly situated if you want to get out and about in the Noto Valley. Slightly confusingly for the first-time visitor, the town is split into two, Modica Alta which is the historic older part and Modica Bassa, the lower more modern part of town. However, it only takes ten minutes or so to walk from one to the other.…

visit-palermo

Recently named Italian Capital of Culture for 2018, there are now more even more reasons to visit Palermo, Sicily’s fascinating capital. Book a flight to Palermo and stay in a luxury villa or holiday home and combine sightseeing and city strolling with beach life Sicilian style. Unravel Sicily’s History Few places to visit in Palermo can claim a historical legacy as diverse as Sicily’s and this is evident on almost every street corner in the city. With a history of invading forces from the Carthaginians, the Greeks, Romans, Normans, French and Spanish, amongst others, the city’s cultural sights incorporate everything…

villas-in-palermo-wishsicily

Sicily’s northern coastline features fabulous sandy beaches for holidaymakers who just want to chill in the sun but ancient ruins, mountainous interiors and UNESCO world heritage sites ensure that there is also plenty to keep you occupied. UNESCO world heritage treasures If you choose to holiday near Palermo or Cefalù, you will be in prime position for visiting the most recent addition to Sicily’s collection of UNESCO world heritage sites. The seven civil and religious buildings in Palermo, and the cathedrals in Cefalù and Monreale, together make up the ‘Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale’ UNESCO…

Scopello in western Sicily

We defy anyone not to fall in love with south east Sicily – and particularly Syracuse and the baroque towns of the Val di Noto – but those who venture to the western side of the island will encounter a very different atmosphere, spectacular scenery and several wonderful historic towns. These are just a few of our favourite places in western Sicily.   Classical temples The well-preserved classical temples of western Sicily are constant reminders of just one of the island’s ancient invaders. The impressive temples and ruins at Segesta, Selinunte and the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento provide…

autumn-in-sicily-villas

The summer sunshine continues right through September here but the heat is less fierce and the climate ideal for venturing inland to explore the island’s nature reserves and spectacular countryside. If you enjoy being active, why not combine a week in the sun with a selection of walking tours and hiking excursions at different spots on the island? For foodies, this is the season for hazelnuts, pistachios and almonds and harvest time for the olive groves and vineyards. October sees the start of the wild mushroom season, and of roast chestnuts and prickly pears. Take a look at our favourite…

sicily-villas

If you haven’t booked to get away this summer yet, we’ve tried to make life easy by picking a selection of top villas for autumn getaways. September and early October are great months to holiday in Sicily: you can still expect temperatures in the low to mid-20’s, up to ten hours of sunshine a day and quiet beaches and tourist attractions as Italians return to work. Of course if September seems too long to wait for warm sunshine, there is always the option of a quick getaway. Take a look at our collection of villas offering last-minute deals and promotions.…

For Cinema and TV Show Buffs: Here are Some Guided Tours of Sicily that Follow the Steps of your Favourite Protagonists Here are some great ideas for an original Sicilian vacation that will take you to the set of major popular hits like The Godfather trilogy and the Inspector Montalbano TV series. Many tourists (especially British visitors) have become enamoured with these guided tours because they offer a diversion from the usual touristy activities, and especially because tv shows and famous movies about the mafia have become a trendy aspect of popular culture over the decades- just think of Michael…

Another Sicilian Wonder? The Beautiful Weather! Sicily is widely popular for being one of the top holiday spots in the Mediterranean. This is also due to the wonderful weather it enjoys during the major part of the year, which make it possible for tourists to swim in the crystal waters blue waters of the coastlines and of its wide variety of splendid beaches well through the months of October and November- when many beaches are still open and lifeguards are also still on duty. High temperatures in Sicily reach a yearly average of 20° C overall. This is not bad…

Here is How to Reach the East Coast of Sicily: Flying to Catania Catania is the most convenient place to start your holiday in Sicily and it is the main port of entry for tourists visiting the island. It is right at the foot of Mt. Etna, close to the popular resort town of Taormina and within reachable distance to Messina in the Northeast, to the Parks of Madonie and Nebrodi to the North West, to Greek-influenced Syracuse and the Val di Noto in the South, and is the perfect starting point for a cross country trip to the best…

Original Ideas for a Special Holiday: Air based Adventures and Tours around Sicily With all the rich variety of things to see and do in the jewel of the Mediterranean, air tours are the best method to capture as much as possible of the splendour of Sicily and its Aeolian and Aegadian archipelagos, especially if yours is a short holiday trip and time or work constraints will not permit a visit to all the archaeological sites and nature reserves. Photography and videos from above will add a special touch of originality to your holidays in Sicily. With a bird’s eye…

An Adventurous Voyage Overland? Choose Sicily for the Best Coastal and Mainland Excursions Sicily may be certainly renowned for its rich collection of some of the best ancient ruins, temples and monuments in the European continent, for its variety of sandy, sun-filled beaches and scenic views, and of course for its gastronomic specialties which are exemplary of the unparalleled culinary quality which makes Italy the envy of the entire world. But many people forget the exotic diversity of its natural habitats; the originality of its many nature reserves and Parks with their rare species of plants, flowers, trees and fauna…

2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition

If the prospect of a week on the beach or lazing by your villa pool is still not enough to tempt your teenage offspring away with you this summer, they may be interested in our new collection of adventure activities. Body-rafting, river trekking, and, for younger children, canyoning or a family jeep tour, are all guaranteed to keep everyone entertained for days.   Canyoning in the Alcantara Gorge: Introduce the younger members of the family (minimum age: 8) to the thrills of canyoning in the Alcantara Gorge.  This involves travelling through a dry section of the Alcantara river bed, past…

A Guide to the Various Options for Accommodations in Sicily Not only is Sicily renowned worldwide for its splendidly preserved archeological monuments, natural parks and classical historical heritage, but it is also special because of the wide and numerous options provided for tourist accommodations in special and diverse, traditional family-run establishments – and in all the best locations around Sicily, where you can explore the local folklore and traditions of its regions’ ancient cross-cultural past. Whether you prefer a holiday rental at a villa on the beach or overlooking the coast, an Agriturismo Farmhouse, a chalet, Bed&Breakfast or beach resort,…

Best Holiday Destinations in Sicily (Sicilian Holiday) Sicily’s reputation as the largest island in the Mediterranean, and its central location making it the bridge-way to Europe and major maritime center since antiquity, are main factors that have contributed to its historical importance, shaping its cosmopolitan character for over 3 millennia. For their choice of the best sicilian holiday destinations around the island and its archipelagoes, travelers to Sicily throughout the year have a vast selection of places to see during every season. From February to October you can expect beautiful sunny weather and in the summer especially the beaches of…